Project Athena - Day 140 (Lens Flare)

You were born to sparkle.

“The eyes have one language everywhere.”
— George Herbert

The sparkling effect behind little Kian is a different type of lens flare and one I have always avoided by using polarizing filters on my lenses to eliminate the refraction of light and make the water look smooth. Tonight, when I first saw this photo, I knew this image captured the essence of this little guy in a very special way as he is a shining star among the diamonds. I am thrilled with this shot and I know I never could have illustrated this with my normal way of shooting.

His smile is contagious.

Kian Surrounded by Diamonds

Nikon D3200 • Nikon 55-200mm lens • 100mm • F/5 • 1/1250s • ISO 400

Project Athena - Day 139 (Lens Flare)

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”
— George Bernard Shaw

Boy climbing a tree

Not just any boy! Dez and Kian are here in Colorado visiting again and today we enjoyed a full day outside playing in the parks. We rode our bikes, climbed trees, skipped rocks in the river, giggled on swings of all shapes and sizes, scaled rock walls, slipped down slides, and dug in the dirt. Fun was had by all!! 

I also discovered that the boys are far more cooperative about having their photos taken when I am not trying to position them in the perfect light with the sun at the "right" angle.

I love this little guy! He has certainly been a bright shining star in my life. Tomorrow...Kian with flare.

Desmond Climbs a Tree

Nikon D3200 • Nikon 55-200mm lens • 55mm • F/4.5 • 1/200s • ISO 100

Project Athena - Day 138 (Lens Flare)

Through a window

“Things do not change; we change.”
— Henry David Thoreau

As the week progresses, flare is becoming a natural intoxicating design element in my photographic palette. What I once perceived as a "problem" has been literally reframed and is now as welcome in a composition as lines, patterns, or texture. I feel as though I have taken my photos up a notch by just being willing to explore in a different way. I have even figured out how to embellished images in Photoshop with lens flares including this one. Observing the change in myself is making me smile. It feels like I have freed myself from some locked room that I've always held the key to.

Masonville Bottles

Nikon D3200 • Nikon 18-55mm lens • 30mm • F/10 • 1/2500s • ISO 200

Project Athena - Day 137 (Lens Flare)

Beautiful Imperfection

“I think perfection is ugly. Somewhere in the things humans make, I want to see scars, failure, disorder, distortion.”
— Yohji Yamamoto, Fashion Designer

GW Sugar Plant, Loveland, CO

Nikon D3200 • Nikon 18-55mm lens • 18mm • F/22 • 1/250s • ISO 200